This Muslim country deported the highest number of Indians in 2025; United States ranked second
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Key data related to the deportation of Indian nationals from foreign countries in 2025 has come to light. According to official figures presented in the Rajya Sabha, more than 24,600 Indian citizens were deported to India from 81 countries worldwide this year. Surprisingly, Saudi Arabia not the United States or the United Kingdom topped the list by deporting the highest number of Indians. Data shows that Saudi Arabia sent back over 11,000 Indian nationals in the past 12 months.
How many Indians were deported from the United States?
As per government data, around 3,000 Indian citizens were deported from the United States in 2025. This is considered the highest number of deportations from the US in the last five years. Experts attribute this increase mainly to stricter immigration enforcement, detailed document verification, and tough action on visa status, work authorisation and overstay cases, policies that gained momentum during the Trump administration and continued later.
Number of Indians deported from other countries
Myanmar: 1,591
Malaysia: 1,485
United Arab Emirates (UAE): 1,469
Bahrain: 764
Thailand: 481
Cambodia: 305
Major reasons for deportation
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the primary reasons for deportation include overstaying beyond visa or residency validity, working without a valid work permit, violation of local labour laws, absconding from employers, and involvement in civil or criminal cases.
Why are most Indians deported from Gulf countries?
Bheema Reddy, Vice-Chairman of the Telangana government’s NRI Advisory Committee, explained that this trend is common in Gulf nations. He stated that a large number of Indian workers migrate to these countries for jobs in construction, caregiving and similar sectors. Most of them are low-skilled and travel through agents. In many cases, the lure of higher income leads them into minor crimes or legal violations, resulting in deportation.
United Kingdom tops student deportations
The report also revealed that Indian students were deported the most from the United Kingdom. In 2025, around 170 Indian students were sent back from the UK. Australia followed with 114 deportations, Russia with 82, and the United States with 45 Indian students deported.